Headspace-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of methanol in blood

A headspace gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (HS-GC/MS) method was developed for detection of ethanol and methanol in blood and validation was performed. The linearity ranges of the method were 0-2g/L for ethanol and methanol. The detection and quantitation of limit was 0.03g/L-0.05g/L respectively for ethanol and methanol. The range of recoveries was between 94%-120% for both ethanol and methanol. In our study case; 60-year-old woman was found unconscious at home, with a needle mark on her leg. A bottle of purple liquid was found next to the body. She was presented involving a transient loss of consciousness resulting from self-administered denaturated alcohol (methylated alcohol). Doctor demanded us to determine methanol and ethanol level in blood and purple liquid . The compounds were identified and quantified by headspace gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Key-words: Methanol, ethanol, Headspace-Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, blood